what was it like to hike the Appalachian Trail in the 1970s
**Hiking the Appalachian Trail in the 1970s was a physically and mentally demanding experience characterized by solitude, rugged conditions, and a focus on self-discovery and authenticity.** The era saw a new surge in "thru-hikers"—those attempting the entire 2,000+ mile trek in a single journey—motivated largely by a desire for personal authenticity and self-challenge, often apart from societal conventions[11].
**Trail Conditions and Navigation:**
- The trail itself was often **poorly blazed**, with reroutes common and guidebooks quickly outdated, requiring hikers to be adaptable and observant[3].
- Maintenance varied widely; some sections were well-kept, while others were rough and hard to follow[3].
- Hikers faced physical obstacles such as **blowdowns, rocky terrain, treacherous water crossings, and exposure to the elements**, including snow, rain, and wind[9][10][11].
- Common dangers included **bears, snakes (including poisonous ones), and steep or slippery sections**[1].
**Gear and Supplies:**
- **Modern lightweight gear was unavailable:** Packs frequently weighed ~50 pounds, made of heavy canvas with bulky leather boots[9].
- Clothing was basic—**cotton shirts and pants, ponchos for rain**—with little in the way of technical fabrics or advanced weather protection[2][9].
- Hikers **resupplied less frequently**, sometimes carrying up to ten days of food, compared to today’s more convenient supply options[4].
- **Hostels and “trail angels” were rare;** most accommodation was camping or rustic shelters, and outside help was less common[9].
**Trail Culture and Social Aspects:**
- Despite the solitude, strong but infrequent bonds often formed among hikers, though the trail community was much smaller—only about **788 people thru-hiked in the entire decade of the 1970s**, compared to thousands annually in later decades[9][11].
- Encounters with other thru-hikers were rare, making companionship especially meaningful[9].
- The 1970s wave of hikers often sought independence, sometimes embracing isolation or framing the hike as a form of personal or spiritual quest, akin to the era’s “Me Decade” ethos of self-exploration[11].
**The Experience:**
- Hikers contended with **constant hunger, mental fatigue, blisters, and monotony**, sometimes going days without bathing or meaningful interactions[11].
- Many described **spiritual or existential moments** brought on by immersion in wilderness and endurance of hardship, fostering a new appreciation for both nature and their own capabilities[1][11].
- The hike was often seen as a way to “conquer oneself,” with challenges like adverse weather, injuries, and logistical mishaps as ever-present as the scenery[9][11].
**In summary**, hiking the AT in the 1970s was a tough, largely solitary adventure demanding resilience, while offering profound moments of connection with nature and self. Gear was heavy, the path was rougher, and the thru-hiker community was far smaller, making success an achievement of both body and spirit[9][11].
Citations:
[1] Hiking the Appalachian Trail in My Early 70s! https://dynamicaging4lifemagazine.com/hiking-the-appalachian-trail-in-my-early-70s/
[2] My dad hiking the Appalachian trail 1979. : r/OldSchoolCool - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/OldSchoolCool/comments/8d1vte/my_dad_hiking_the_appalachian_trail_1979/
[3] Hiking the Trail · Five Million Steps - Appalachian Trail Histories https://appalachiantrailhistory.org/exhibits/show/overview/hiking
[4] The Evolution of the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/hiking/the-evolution-of-the-appalachian-trail-thru-hike/
[5] Suggestions for Appalachian Trail Users (1970 Pamphlet) - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/AppalachianTrail/comments/1b3gb6c/suggestions_for_appalachian_trail_users_1970/
[6] Hike the Appalachian Trail https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/hike-the-appalachian-trail-37139264/
[7] Late 1970's thru-hike - Trail Forums http://www.trailforums.com/t/late-1970s-thru-hike/9164
[8] Appalachian Trail Histories https://appalachiantrailhistory.org/exhibits/show/hikers/individualhiking
[9] My AT Adventures Began in 1975. It's Been a Great Trip - The Trek https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail/adventures-began-1975-great-trip/
[10] WalkingStick75's 1975 Appalachian Trail Journal : Part of Trail Journals' Backpacking and Hiking Journals https://trailjournals.com/journal/6182
[11] “To Conquer Myself”: The New Strenuosity and the Emergence of “Thru-hiking” on the https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/A_Berg_To_2015.pdf
[12] “To Conquer Myself”: The New Strenuosity and the Emergence of “Thru-hiking” on the Appalachian Trail in the 1970s https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/listing.aspx?id=22274
For more info, see this book where all proceeds go to the AT Museum.
The Real Appalachian Trail BC*
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